Sanur: 3 days
Ubud: 3 days
North Coast Pematuran: 2 nights
East Coast: now our second full day
Temples: 5
Water Palace: 1
Bintang Beer: 1 large shared/day
Arak: prn (as needed)
Snorkeling: prn
Stress Levels: 0 to -10
Bali Belly: Sherry 2 episodes moderate and mild-moderate with average duration .5 day; Sandra: zero-light 20 minutes.
General Health and Medical Concerns: Sandra - 1 heat rash episode resolving nicely; sunburned buns: one for each of us, small but intense discomfort. Reminder: shower with sunscreen before snorkelling.
Every location move is a struggle. We LOVE every place we've stayed and feel very sad when we move on!
SANUR: Kamasuri 'Hotel' - air con, king bed, half a block to the beach and seaside 3 kms walkway, across from temple... breakfast included. Warangs have awesome food and we had the very best seafood Nasi Goreng ever at a little ocean front warang.
UBUD: Gusti's Garden and our little unit overlooking a terraced garden, perfect blue pool snuggled at the bottom, ... 'interesting' outdoor shower, resident gecko of the larger, louder variety (loud GECK-gooooo - imagine a low throaty purr at the end and you'll have it just right). Fan (no air-con -- fine in Ubud), two beds, private patio, breakfast and friendly smiles, morning offerings of incense and prayers - all for $12.50 each/night.
Two for One Happy Hour cocktails the best ever discovered in Ubud is ARAK MOJITO!!!!
Much wetter , with heavy rain especially at night and some freaky loud thunder and lightning. I check in with Wayan: rain is much heavier this year than my last 2 visits in Novemer? the answer is 'yes' - global warming and not a good outcome for the rice crops. Also Ubud is crazy busy? Yep, with the release of Eat, Pray, Love 2 years ago tourism has increased greatly... ugh. but good for them. Also The Bucket List with Jack Nicolson (?) highlights Bali - note to self(s) get both movies on return to Canada.
PEMUTERAN: Taman Sari Bali Resort - WOW! Describes this place! Happy, Happy Babes here! Beautiful gardens and lawn, 2 beds with mozzie nets, air con; outdoor balinese bathrooms, right on the beach with fantastic snorkelling, perfect pool, wonderful service.... we are prima donnas here and feel great remorse leaving our natural habitant.
Right off the beach: a once destroyed reef (because of dynamite and cyanide fishing followed by global warming) rebounding at 5X the normal rate due to large metal cages being placed on the reef, then hooking up to low voltage electricity from generators on the beach! The result is successful stimulation of limestone formation on the cages, which THEN forms new coral. Happy Story. A recovered reef and an improvished area now attracts tourists that employs the locals.
Day trip to Palau Menjangan (Deer Island)
Literally a private tour and wonderful local guide! Nono is a young Balanise man and ex lawyer (couldn't handle the stress and negativity around his chosen profession) who is passionate about environmental issues and Deer Island. Soft Coral, Hard Coral, lots of fish including Parrot Fish, Clown Fish, and "Nemo" - funny orange and white fish who love to hide in creamy, soft sponges - the Pitt Bulls of the fish world. With a tenative hand reaching towards the sponge, they dart out in attack posture then quickly retreat. Our second, more secluded snorkel was simply amazing with stunning coral gardens, including one patch of brillant green about 40' in diameter. Wow.
We hired Wayan and a driver for 3 days at approximately $40/day plus fuel (.45/litre) from Ubud north to Pemuteran then back to the East Coast. A luxury drive with air conditioning. We realize after 2 lunch experiences: we need to take control over the situation! Wayan, of course, does not go out for lunch so he stops at the tour bus stops = poor food, high prices, and a time waster. No problem! We get a 'to go' lunch from the hotel before we hit the road next time around.
Travel Companion: Sandra is a pain in the ___! Just between you and I, she is so happy, agreeable, and in love with Bali, Beer, and Snorkelling it's very difficult to be around her. But, I must persevere.
Bali Spirituality: In a nutshell, our perfect little tropical Island IS a true giant generated by incredible people and their proud, stong spirit and culture. Bali is the ONLY remaining Hindu Island in the largest Muslum country (Indonesia). There is no where else in the whole world like Bali.
Hindu with Buddist influence offers a very unique and facinating learning experience...The Gods are as follows:
- Wisnu
Color is Black
Is the Protector God and God of Water
Represents the North
Wife: is the Goddess of Rice (nourishment)
- Brahma,
Color is Red
Creator God and God of Fire
Wife: is Saraswati, Goddess of Knowledge ( my personal fav)
-Sewa
All Colors
Represents Earth and is in the middle
Is the Destroyer of Bad Spirits
Wife is Durga, Goddess of Black Magic
- Iswira
Color is White
Priests worships this god, represents all the elements
Represents East
- Mahadewa
color is yellow
Protector God of the Spirit, Leadership and is the 'King of Gods'
Color is White
Represents West
Wife - not clear 'bout this -stay tuned if you are interested/facinated/curious!
Very Interesting: Brahma (South), Wisnu (North) and Sewa (middle) form the Trinity
So: Brahma = ANG; Wisnu = UNG and Sewa = MING, the sounds taken all togethere = OM
Worship is a constant in Bali. Every God is honored, every day with prayers, offerings of flowers, food, incense and music. 'Ceromonies' are special spritual celebrations and are too numerous and frequent to count. We just count ourselves very lucky to to part of every day life and live like the Balanise 'in the moment, in the day, and with appreciation'.
This Saturday Wayan has invited us to attend aCeremony in his village, in honor of Saraswati - yep my very own Goddess of Knowledge. Putri is going to help us with traditional dress and you bet you'll be seeing photos!!!!
For some reason I don't think you are able to post comments. I have no idea why but will try my best to trouble shoot (SANDRAaaaa HELPPPP)
(Good Bye to you - leaving 'the blog'!)
To be Continued......
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